Structure, chain conformation and antitumor activity of a novel polysaccharide from Lentinus edodes

A water-soluble polysaccharide LT1 was isolated from the basidiocarps of Lentinus edodes by hot water extraction and ethanol precipitations, further purified by gel chromatography. The Mw of LT1 was estimated to be 642 kDa by using HPGPC. Chemical and spectroscopic studies illustrated that LT1 has a backbone chain composed of 1 → 4-linked and 1 → 3-linked glucopyranosyl residues and has branches of single glucosyl stubs at C-6 of β-(1 → 4)-linked glucopyranosyl. AFM and Congo-red test revealed that LT1 existed as triple helix chain in 0.10 M NaOH solution or distilled water. Our studies showed that LT1 presented significant antitumor bioactivities on Sarcoma180 solid tumor cell implanted in BALB/c mice, which implies that LT1 could be potentially applied as a natural antitumor drug.

Graphical AbstractA novel polysaccharide LT1 was isolated from the cultured Lentinus edodes. The experiment suggested that LT1 possesses significant antitumor activity on S-180 tumors in mice.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide